Images of lung function using hyperpolarized 3He. The
left image shows the distribution of gas in a single breath (ventilation)
across the lung of a healthy rat. The right image is a measure
of lung oxygen content, and is derived from a time-series of 3He-MRI
snapshots. This
and other images of lung function show characteristic modification
in specific disease states. The ability to acquire detailed images
of lung function is new and unique to hyperpolarized gas MRI.

Image Credit: Rahim Rizi, PhD, University
of Pennsylvania School of Medicine